The Ref - The Movie

by 5 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #2,829 in Movies & TV, #78,926 overall

The Ref: He's Taken Them Hostage. They're Driving Him Nuts.

It's true. The Ref is my favorite Christmas movie. Now, be warned, you have to be a fan of smart, talky movies (think of comedies from the thirties and forties). The uniting of Judy Davis, Denis Leary, and Kevin Spacey was inspired, and Christine Baranski and Glynis Johns provide extra pith to an already pith-laden production.

Now you know, of course, that whenever you get Kevin Spacey and Denis Leary in one film there's going to a lot of talking and a lot of ranting, and the rants are truly delicious, topped off with Spacey's line: "The corpse has the floor!"

Judy Davis more than holds her own with Spacey and Leary, and B. D. Wong is delightful as the overwhelmed psychotherapist. As everyone gets a number in a musical, everyone gets a rant in "The Ref", reminding us again of why two people argue: because they're both right.

Give yourself a treat and don't wait for Christmas to watch this one. However, if the "eff" word offends you, don't watch this movie.

Note: The videos used to illustrate this movie contain bad language. Please do not play them if this offends you.

Denis Leary: His Story
Quote From "The Ref"
Scene Two From The Ref

more...

The Ref: The DVD Review

The Ref

Caustic wit gets a full-body workout in this 1994 comedy, in which a cat burglar (Denis Leary) gets trapped in an affluent Connecticut neighborhood and is forced to hold a bickering couple hostage on Christmas Eve, only to discover that their Yuletide spirit is anything but cheerful.

Caroline (Judy Davis) and her husband, Lloyd (Kevin Spacey), have been at each other's throats for so long that they've developed domestic arguments into an art form, and the would-be kidnapper turns into a reluctant mediator, even after he's got the battling couple wound up in bungee cords. The situation grows even more complicated when the couple's smart-aleck son comes home from military school, but it's not the plot here that's a top priority. Instead it's the sheer pleasure of witnessing a three-way verbal jousting match, written with razor-sharp skill and delivered by actors who are perfect for their roles.

The movie's got a dark edge, but it never gets too dark--you know that it's not going to slide into more seriously damaging territory, so you can sit back and enjoy the volleys of scathing insults and sarcasm the way you would a Don Rickles performance. If that sounds like your idea of entertainment, The Ref will serve it up with style.

Buy at AllPosters.com

The Ref: The First Ten Minutes

Care! Bad language alert!

Denis Leary: His Story

Denis Leary Biography

Denis Colin Leary (born August 18, 1957) is a Golden Globe- and Emmy Award-nominated American actor, comedian, writer and director. He is known for his often angry comedic style, and his chain smoking. As of 2009, Leary is the star and co-creator of the television show Rescue Me now in its 5th season.

read the rest of the Wikipedia article

Quote From "The Ref"

I have a gun, it's loaded, shut up.

Scene Two From The Ref

More From The Ref With Denis Leary

Care! Bad language alert!

Vote the Quote

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Kevin Spacey: His Story

Kevin Spacey Biography

Kevin Spacey (born Kevin Spacey Fowler, July 26, 1959) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and crooner. He grew up in California, and began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, before being cast in supporting roles in film and television. He gained critical acclaim in the early 1990s, culminating in his first Academy Award for The Usual Suspects (Best Supporting Actor), followed by a Best Actor Academy Award win for American Beauty (1999). His other starring roles in Hollywood include Seven, L.A. Confidential, Pay It Forward, and Superman Returns in a career which has eventually earned him both Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominations. Since 2003, he has been artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London.

read the rest of the Wikipedia article

Great Deals on The Ref DVD

Find The Ref Bargains

Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Quote From "The Ref"

You know what I'm going to get you next Christmas, Mom?
A big wooden cross, so that every time you feel unappreciated for your sacrifices, you can climb on up and nail yourself to it.